H*4173 Concurrent Resolution, By Coleman
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME
 THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 321 IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY THAT BEGINS AT
 THE INTERSECTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 321 BUSINESS AND UNITED STATES
 HIGHWAY 321 BY-PASS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TOWN OF WINNSBORO AND ENDS AT THE
 FAIRFIELD/CHESTER COUNTY LINE WEBSTER ANDERSON UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL
 MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HIGHWAY AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS
 ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THE WORDS "WEBSTER ANDERSON
 CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HIGHWAY".

   05/07/03  House  Introduced HJ-49
   05/07/03  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-50
   05/08/03  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-93
   05/13/03  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-19
   05/13/03         Scrivener's error corrected
   05/14/03  Senate Introduced SJ-6
   05/14/03  Senate Referred to Committee on Transportation SJ-6
   03/25/04  Senate Recalled from Committee on Transportation SJ-2
   04/06/04  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-49

RECALLED

March 25, 2004

H. 4173

S. Printed 3/25/04--S.

Read the first time May 14, 2003.

TO REQUEST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO NAME THE PORTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 321 IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY THAT BEGINS AT THE INTERSECTION OF UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 321 BUSINESS AND UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 321 BY-PASS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TOWN OF WINNSBORO AND ENDS AT THE FAIRFIELD/CHESTER COUNTY LINE WEBSTER ANDERSON UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HIGHWAY AND TO ERECT APPROPRIATE SIGNS OR MARKERS ALONG THIS PORTION OF HIGHWAY CONTAINING THE WORDS "WEBSTER ANDERSON CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT HIGHWAY".

Whereas, Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson of Fairfield County distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as chief of section in Battery A., 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), against a hostile force; and

Whereas, during the early morning hours of October 15, 1967, in Tam Ky Republic of Vietnam, Battery A.'s defensive position was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army infantry unit. The initial enemy onslaught breached the battery defensive perimeter; and

Whereas, Sergeant First Class Anderson, with complete disregard for his personal safety, mounted the exposed parapet of his howitzer position and became the mainstay of the defense of the battery position. Sergeant Anderson directed devastating direct howitzer fire on the assaulting enemy while providing rifle and grenade defensive fire against enemy soldiers attempting to overrun his gun section position; and

Whereas, while protecting his crew and directing their fire against the enemy force from his exposed position, two enemy grenades exploded at his feet knocking him down and severely wounding him in the legs. Despite the excruciating pain and though not able to stand, Sergeant Anderson propped himself on the parapet and continued to direct howitzer fire upon the closing enemy and encouraged his men to fight on; and

Whereas, seeing an enemy grenade land within the gun pit near a wounded member of his gun crew, Sergeant Anderson seized the grenade and attempted to throw it over the parapet to save his men. As the grenade was thrown it exploded and Sergeant Anderson was again grievously wounded; and

Whereas, Sergeant Anderson refused medical evacuation and continued to encourage his men in defense of their positions; and

Whereas, for his heroism he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on November 24, 1969; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly believe that it is fitting and proper for a portion of United States Highway 321 in Fairfield be named to honor this native son of the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the Department of Transportation is requested to name the portion of United States Highway 321 in Fairfield County that begins at the intersection of United States Highway 321 Business and United States Highway 321 By-Pass on the North side of the Town of Winnsboro and ends at the Fairfield/Chester County line Webster Anderson United States Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Highway and to erect appropriate signs or markers along this portion of highway containing the words "Webster Anderson United States Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Highway".

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.